A Summary of Therapeutic Touch Research
Therapeutic TouchTM is a holistic, evidence-based therapy that incorporates the intentional and
compassionate use of universal energy to promote balance and well-being1.
Therapeutic Touch is considered a pioneer among modern complementary methods of healing because
it is the first healing modality in Western history to be formally taught as an intrinsic part of a fully
accredited graduate curriculum of a college or university. This occurred at New York University (NYU),
New York City, in 1975 in a masters-level course called “Frontiers in Nursing” (E41.2363).2
Therapeutic Touch is a gentle, non-invasive therapy utilizing near touch and light touch to support and
stimulate the body’s own healing processes. There has been a great deal of research done on
Therapeutic Touch. Therapeutic Touch has been shown to decrease anxiety and/or stress in the
following populations: psychiatric patients with moderate to severe anxiety3, cardiovascular patients4,5,
those undergoing cardiac catheterization6, those that have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer7,
with those recently bereaved8, the elderly9, 10, 11, post-operative patients12, children with HIV13,
chemically dependent pregnant women14, Alzheimer patients15, burn patients16, those who worked
through or suffered a loss as a result of a hurricane17, healthy women18, and others19, 20.
Therapeutic Touch has been shown to decrease the perception of pain and/or decrease the need for
analgesia in the following populations: vascular12, major elective or abdominal21, and coronary artery
bypass surgeries22; fibromyalgia23;osteoarthritis24, 25; burn patients16; in the elderly9,26,27; cancer patients
undergoing chemotherapy28; and others29,30.
Research suggests use of Therapeutic Touch accelerates wound healing31, 32, 33 and facilitates relaxation15,
22
. It improves length and/or quality of sleep: in a critical care environment34, in chronic pain26, and the
institutionalized elderly11, 35. Increased well-being has been shown in post-operative patients22, those
experiencing dementia36, those with terminal cancer37, and with preterm infants with a gestational age
of 25-37 weeks38. It has also been shown to improve depression26, quality of life23, increase function in
those with arthritis24, 39, improve vigor18, decrease fatigue with cancer patients undergoing
chemotherapy40, increase haemoglobin levels41, and decrease confusion42.
An in vitro study on normal human cells has shown Therapeutic Touch increases human cell
proliferation43. A further in vitro study showed an increase in human DNA synthesis, differentiation and
mineralization in osteoblasts (bone cells) and a decrease in osteosarcoma (bone cancer cells) with
Therapeutic Touch44. A growing amount of research is suggesting Therapeutic Touch may positively
influence the immune system58 by decreasing suppressor T cells45 and increasing natural killer cells46.
Therapeutic Touch has been safely practiced on people of all age groups. There has been research which
demonstrates that Therapeutic Touch can be safely done on premature infants, less than 29 weeks
gestation56; and that in preterms, 25 – 37 weeks gestation, the data suggests that it aids in their
physiological and behavioral development and well-being57. Research has been done with children13, 19,
and countless research studies have been done with adults and the elderly.
Therapeutic Touch has been shown to be effective in populations often thought to be fragile, such as
preterms, children, the elderly, people with cancer, and dementia.
There has been a lot of research done on those with Alzheimer’s disease showing: decreased anxiety15;
decreased vocalization, decreased manual manipulation, decreased disruptive behavior47,48; decreased
pacing49, and decreased physical non-aggressive behavior. Using Therapeutic Touch may delay and/or
prevent pharmacological therapies that could decrease the individual’s quality of life.
Another population that has been researched is those experiencing cancer. Therapeutic Touch has been
shown to decrease anxiety7, 59, decrease fatigue28, increase well-being37, and decrease pain, and be
beneficial in insomnia and needle phobias59.
As can be seen by reviewing the research above the amount of research with Therapeutic Touch has
been extensive with more research continuing to be done.
For an easily downloadable annotated bibliography of published Therapeutic Touch™ research from
1975 to July 2004 AND from July 2004 to July 2012 please see The Therapeutic Touch Network of
Ontario website at http://www.therapeutictouchontario.org/, click learn from the drop down screen,
then research bibliographies. Each of the published studies is summarized, including a description of:
•
study purpose
•
research design
•
characteristics of participants
•
nature of interventions
•
outcome variables
•
measured results
•
conclusions
•
recommendations
Therapeutic Touch is not intended to replace appropriate medical care; it is not a cure, but is intended
to promote healing. Krieger defines cure as a remedy to get rid of an ailment, a course of medical
treatment. The word heal is defined as to make whole, to make healthy, to bring into harmony. She
explains, “healing has to do with how one thinks of oneself, one’s worldview or philosophy of life; it
implies an enhancement of the quality of one’s life.”51 She states:” It (Therapeutic Touch) is simply an
opportunity to actualize the natural human potential to help or heal yourself or others”.52
References
1)
Therapeutic Touch International Association www.therapeutic-touch.org
2)
Kunz, D. with Krieger, D. The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch. Rochester, Vermont:
Bear & Company, 2004.
3)
Gagne, D. (1994). The effects of Therapeutic Touch and relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety.
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 8(3), 184-189.
4)
Heidt, P. (1981). Effect of Therapeutic Touch on anxiety level of hospitalized patients. Nursing
Research, 30(1), 32-37.
5)
Quinn, J. F. (1984). Therapeutic Touch as energy exchange: Testing the theory. ANS Advances in
Nursing Science, 6(2), 42-49.
6)
Zolfaghari, M., Eybpoosh, S., Hazrati, M. “Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Anxiety, Vital Signs,
and Cardiac Dysrhythmia in a Sample of Iranian Women Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization Journal of
Holistic Nursing 30.4 (2012): 225-234. Print
7)
Samarel, N., Fawcett, J., Davis, M. M., & Ryan, F. M. (1998). Effects of dialogue and Therapeutic
Touch on preoperative and postoperative experiences of breast cancer surgery: An exploratory study.
Oncology Nursing Forum, 25(8), 1369-1376.
8)
Quinn, J. F. (1993). Psychoimmunologic effects of Therapeutic Touch on practitioners and
recently bereaved recipients: A pilot study. ANS Advances in Nursing Science, 15(4), 13-26.
9)
Lin, Y. S., & Gill Taylor, A. (1999). Effects of Therapeutic Touch in reducing pain and anxiety in an
elderly population. Integrative Medicine, 1(4), 155-162.
10)
Simington, J. A., & Laing, G. P. (1993). Effects of Therapeutic Touch on anxiety in the
institutionalized elderly. Clinical Nursing Research, 2(4), 438-450.
11)
Gregory, Sue and Julie Verdouw. “Therapeutic touch: Its application for residents in aged care."
Australian Nursing Journal 12.7 (2005):1-3. Print.
12)
Coakley, Amanda and Mary Duffy. ‘The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Postoperative Patients.”
Journal of Holistic Nursing 28.3 (2010): 193-200. Print.
13)
Ireland, M. (1998). Therapeutic touch with HIV-infected children: A pilot study. Journal of the
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 9(4), 68-77.
14)
Larden, Cheryl, M. Lynne Palmer and Patricia Janssen. “Efficacy of Therapeutic Touch in Treating
Pregnant Inpatients Who Have a Chemical Dependency.” Journal of Holistic Nursing 22.4 (2004): 320332. Print.
15)
Krieger, D. (1975). Therapeutic Touch: The imprimatur of Nursing. American Journal of Nursing,
75(5), 784-787.
16)
Wirth, D. P., Barrett, M. J., & Eidelman, W. S. (1994). Non-contact Therapeutic Touch and wound
re-epithelialization: an extension of previous research. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2(4), 187192.
17)
Olson, M., Sneed, N., Bonadonna, R., Ratliff, J., & Dias, J. (1992). Therapeutic Touch and posthurricane Hugo stress. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 10(2), 120-136.
18)
Lafreniere, K. D., Mutus, B., Cameron, S., Tannous, M., Giannotti, M., Abu-Zahra, H., et al. 1999).
Effects of Therapeutic Touch on biochemical and mood indicators in women. Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine, 5(4), 367-370.
19)
Giasson, M., & Bouchard, L. (1998). Effect of Therapeutic Touch on the well-being of persons
with terminal cancer. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 16(3), 383-398.
20)
Olson, M., Sneed, N., Bonadonna, R., Ratliff, J., & Dias, J. (1992). Therapeutic Touch and posthurricane Hugo stress. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 10(2), 120-136.
21)
Meehan, T. C. (1993). Therapeutic Touch and postoperative pain: A Rogerian research study.
Nursing Science Quarterly, 6(2), 69-78.
22)
Barrington, R. (1994). A naturalistic inquiry of post-operative pain after Therapeutic Touch. In D.
A. Gaut & A. Boykin (Eds.). Caring as healing: Renewal through hope, (pp. 199-213). New York: National
League of Nursing.
23)
Denison, B. (2004). Touch the pain away: New research on Therapeutic Touch and persons with
fibromyalgia syndrome. Holistic Nursing Practice, 18(3), 142-151.
24)
Gordon, A., Merenstein, J. H., D'Amico, F., & Hudgens, D. (1998). The effects of Therapeutic
Touch on patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Journal of Family Practice, 47(4), 271-277.
25)
Smith, A. Ann, Sanford Kimmel and Sheryl Milz. ‘Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Pain, Function
and Well Being in Persons with Osteo-Arthritis of the Knee: A Pilot Study.” The Internet Journal of
Advanced Nursing Practice 10.2 ((2009): 1-25.
26)
Marta, Ilda, Sueli Baldan, Ani Berton, Michele Pavam, Maria da Silva. “The effectiveness of
Therapeutic Touch on pain, depression and sleep in patients with chronic pain: clinical trial” Revista da
Escola de Enfermagem da USP (2010) 44(4): 1094-1102.
27)
McCormack, Guy. “Using non-contact therapeutic touch to manage post –surgical pain in the
elderly.” Occupational Therapy International 16.1 (2009): 44-56. Print.
28)
Aghabati, Nahid, Eesa Mohammadi and Zahra Esmaiel. “The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Pain
and Fatigue of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.” 7.3 eCAM (2010): 375-381. Print.
29)
Smith, D. W. (2001). Pattern changes in people experiencing Therapeutic Touch, phase II.
Rogerian Nursing Science News Online, 1(1), [Abstract].
30)
Vaughan, S. (1995). The gentle touch. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 4(6), 359-368.
31)
Wirth, D. P. (1990). The effect of non-contact Therapeutic Touch on the healing rate of full
thickness dermal wounds. Subtle Energies, 1(1), 1-20.
32)
Wirth, D. P., Richardson, J. T., Eidelman, W. S., & O' Malley, A. C. (1993). Full thickness dermal
wounds treated with non-contact Therapeutic Touch: A replication and extension. Complementary
Therapies in Medicine, 1(3), 127-132.
33)
Smith, M. C., Reeder, F., Daniel, L., Baramee, J., & Hagman, J. (2003). Outcomes of touch
therapies during bone marrow transplant. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9(1), 40-49.
34)
Cox, C., & Hayes, J. (1999). Physiologic and psychodynamic responses to the administration of
Therapeutic Touch in critical care. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, 5(3), 87-92.
35)
Braun, C., Layton, J., & Braun, J. (1986). Therapeutic Touch improves residents' sleep. American
Health Care Association Journal, 12(1), 48-49.
36)
Doherty, Donna, Stephen Wright, Barry Aveyard and Meg Sykes. “Therapeutic Touch and
dementia care: an ongoing journey.” Nursing Older People 18.11 (2006): 27-30. Print.
37)
Giasson, M., & Bouchard, L. (1998). Effect of Therapeutic Touch on the well-being of persons
with terminal cancer. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 16(3), 383-398.
38)
Hanley, MA. “Therapeutic Touch With Preterm Infants: Composing a Treatment.” Explore 4.4
(2008):249-258. Print
39)
Eckes Peck, S. D. (1997). The efficacy of Therapeutic Touch for improving functional ability in
elders with degenerative arthritis. Nursing Science Quarterly, 11(3), 123-132.
40)
Aghabati, Nahid, Eesa Mohammadi and Zahra Esmaiel. “The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Pain
and Fatigue of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.” 7.3 eCAM (2010): 375-381. Print.
41)
Krieger, D. (1975). Therapeutic Touch: The imprimatur of Nursing. American Journal of Nursing,
75(5), 784-787.
42)
Lafreniere, K. D., Mutus, B., Cameron, S., Tannous, M., Giannotti, M., Abu-Zahra, H., et al.(1999).
Effects of Therapeutic Touch on biochemical and mood indicators in women. Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine, 5(4), 367-370.
43)
Gronowicz, Gloria, Ankur Jhaveri, Libbe Clarke, Michael Aronow and Theresa Smith.
“Therapeutic Touch Stimulates the Proliferation of Human Cells in Culture.” The Journal of Alternative
and Complementary Medicine 14.3 (2008): 233-239. Print.
44)
Jhaveri, Ankur, Stephen Walsh, Yatzen Wang, MaryBeth McCarthy, Gloria Gronowicz.
“Therapeutic Touch Affects DNA Synthesis and Mineralization of Human Osteoblasts in Culture.” Journal
of Orthopaedic Research 26 (2008): 1541-1546. Print.
45)
Quinn, J. F.(1993). Psychoimmunologic effects of Therapeutic Touch on practitioners and
recently bereaved recipients: A pilot study. ANS Advances in Nursing Science, 15(4), 13-26.
46)
Coakley, Amanda and Mary Duffy. ‘The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Postoperative Patients.”
Journal of Holistic Nursing 28.3 (2010): 193-200. Print.
47)
Woods, D. L., Craven, R., & Whitney, J. (1996). The effect of Therapeutic Touch on disruptive
behaviors of individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer type. Alternative Therapies, 2(4), 95-96
[Abstract].
48)
Woods,D. L., Rapp, C. G., & Beck, C. (2004). Escalation/de-escalation patterns of behavioral
symptoms of persons with dementia. Aging and Mental Health, 8(2), 126-132.
49)
Woods, D. L., & Dimond, M. (2002). The effect of Therapeutic Touch on agitated behavior and
cortisol in persons with Alzheimer's Disease. Biological Research for Nursing, 4(2), 104-114.
50)
Fraser Health Hospice Residences: Creating a healing & caring environment at the end of life,
Standards and guidelines for planning, development and operations published August 2007.
51)
Krieger, D. Therapeutic Touch As Transpersonal Healing. New York, NY: Lantern Books, 2002.
52)
Krieger, d. Accepting Your Power to Heal, The Personal Practice of Therapeutic Touch.Santa Fe,
NM: Bear & Company, 1993.
53)
Gerentological Nurses Association of British Columbia (Gnabc), www.gnabc.com
54)
Merck Home Health Handbook,
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/special_subjects/complementary_and_alternative_medicine_ca
m/overview_of_complementary_and_alternative_medicine.html
55)
Fraser Health Hospice Residences: Creating a healing & caring environment at the end of life,
Standards and guidelines for planning, development and operations published August 2007.
56)
Whitley, Julie Anne and Bonnie Rich. “A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Therapeutic Touch in Premature Infants.” Advances in Neonatal
Care 8. 6 (2008): 2-19. Print.
57)
Hanley, MA. “Therapeutic Touch With Preterm Infants: Composing a Treatment.” Hanley, MA.
“Therapeutic Touch With Preterm Infants: Composing a Treatment.” Explore 4.4 (2008):249-258. Print.
4.4 (2008):249-258. Print.
58)
Olson, M., Sneed, N., LaVia, M., Virella, G., Bonadonna, R., & Michel, Y. (1997). Stress-induced
immunosuppression and Therapeutic Touch. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3(2), 68-74.
59)
Stephen, Joanna, Gina Mackenzie, Sarah Sample and Jennifer Macdonald. “Twenty years of
therapeutic touch in a Canadian cancer agency: lessons learned from a case study of integrative
oncology practice.” Support Care Cancer 2007; 15: 993-998. Print.